ducks
07-29-2006, 10:00 AM
Ginobili: Argentina still has "hunger" to win
July 27, 2006
MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina (Ticker) - Manu Ginobili has promised that Argentina will demonstrate its "hunger" for glory at next month's World Basketball Championships.
Argentina won the 2004 Olympics after finishing second in the 2002 World Championships, enhancing its reputation as an international power. The Argentines are among five or six nations that have a chance to win the World Championships.
"It's well known that all of us are hungry, that we all want more," said Ginobili, the star guard of the San Antonio Spurs. "If our attitude had been different, we would have stayed at home. We want to return to the level we had in the 2004 Olympic Games."
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With many familiar faces such as Andres Nocioni and Fabricio Oberto but a new coach in Sergio Hernandez, Argentina faces Venezuela in an exhibition game Friday night.
"In the first friendlies, we will not be at our best, as we're still in preseason," Ginobili told reporters at the team's training camp. "But everybody's aim is to get to the World Championship opener against France (on August 19) at 100 percent.
"We're a bit slow and awkward, but we all know each other very well and we know what we need. We have to go on being united and to return to the group makes us feel very happy. We've reached two important finals together already, but the atmosphere is like you would expect if we were playing for our first goal."
In the World Championships, Argentina is in Group A with reigning champion Serbia & Montenegro, France, Venezuela, Nigeria and Lebanon. Ginobili knows his team has a bull's-eye on its back.
"All the teams will want to beat Argentina, because the gold medal in Athens makes us one of the top teams," he said. "We'll all have to take care of each other, no matter if they are younger or older. We won't win only with names. We'll progress with hard work, as always."
July 27, 2006
MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina (Ticker) - Manu Ginobili has promised that Argentina will demonstrate its "hunger" for glory at next month's World Basketball Championships.
Argentina won the 2004 Olympics after finishing second in the 2002 World Championships, enhancing its reputation as an international power. The Argentines are among five or six nations that have a chance to win the World Championships.
"It's well known that all of us are hungry, that we all want more," said Ginobili, the star guard of the San Antonio Spurs. "If our attitude had been different, we would have stayed at home. We want to return to the level we had in the 2004 Olympic Games."
ADVERTISEMENT
With many familiar faces such as Andres Nocioni and Fabricio Oberto but a new coach in Sergio Hernandez, Argentina faces Venezuela in an exhibition game Friday night.
"In the first friendlies, we will not be at our best, as we're still in preseason," Ginobili told reporters at the team's training camp. "But everybody's aim is to get to the World Championship opener against France (on August 19) at 100 percent.
"We're a bit slow and awkward, but we all know each other very well and we know what we need. We have to go on being united and to return to the group makes us feel very happy. We've reached two important finals together already, but the atmosphere is like you would expect if we were playing for our first goal."
In the World Championships, Argentina is in Group A with reigning champion Serbia & Montenegro, France, Venezuela, Nigeria and Lebanon. Ginobili knows his team has a bull's-eye on its back.
"All the teams will want to beat Argentina, because the gold medal in Athens makes us one of the top teams," he said. "We'll all have to take care of each other, no matter if they are younger or older. We won't win only with names. We'll progress with hard work, as always."